Minimum Wage Strike rocks Plateau, Govt Officials House Burnt to the ground

http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/972-plateau-workers%E2%80%99-strike-govt-officials%E2%80%99-houses-razed

THE face-off between the Plateau State government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over the national minimum wage for Nigeria Union of Local Government employees (NULGE) in the state took a frightening dimension on Tuesday, as the strike declared by the NLC snowballed into a protest, leading to the burning of three residences of top government officials.

In compliance with the directive of the NLC, the various industrial unions in the state down tools on Tuesday in solidarity with NULGE, which had been on strike for the past seven months.

The national bodies of NLC/TUC had earlier issued a 10-day ultimatum to the government for the implementation of the national minimum wage and payment of the salaries of the local government workers for the period they have been on strike.

But the state government obtained an injunction from the Industrial Court in Abuja restraining labour from going on with the  strike while the NLC vowed to mobilise its members for the strike despite the injunction on the premise that it was not served.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the protest by workers in Langtang South local government area of the state was hijacked by hoodlums who went on rampage and descended on public office holders residing in the council area.

It was gathered that in the confused mingling that ensued the House of the Management Committee Chairman of the local government Hon. Namaan Darko, residence of a member of Plateau State House of Assembly member Hon. Jorcy Reknnap and that of the commissioner for youth Mr. Lohfa Boko were burnt by the rampaging youths.

Striking workers laid siege on the Plateau State House of Assembly yesterday and beat up a commissioner and a special assistant for Governor Jonah Jang who were heading to the legislature for a budget presentation session.

Governor Jang was scheduled to present the 2013 budget to lawmakers, but protesting workers who were on their third day of strike over wages marched towards the assembly premises apparently to disrupt the process.

Agriculture commissioner Steven Barko and Jang’s special assistant on Youth Development Samuel Kwamkur were ambushed as they drove towards the assembly complex, Daily Trust learnt.

Angry workers intercepted the two officials around the Plateau State Specialists Hospital and molested them as well as damaged Kwamkur’s car.

Daily Trust learnt that Barko was pulled out of his car and beaten up. He was rescued by the Police.

Earlier, speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. John Clark, was smuggled into the house premises by his press secretary Mrs. Nandak Chinle. Read On